Australia has taken the significant step of labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, which has led to the expulsion of the Iranian ambassador. This decision came after Australian intelligence reported that Iran was behind anti-Jewish attacks. The IRGC, founded following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, is Iran’s most potent military and intelligence entity. Initially, its core missions were to defend the Islamic revolution, manage internal and external threats, and maintain religious leadership’s control over the military. The IRGC has a vast military capacity with over 125,000 soldiers. The organization has expanded to include its own navy, air force, missile programs, drones, and cyber capabilities. Its influence reaches beyond the military into politics, education, and economic sectors. The IRGC is viewed as a loyal entity to Iran’s Supreme Leader. The U.S., Canada, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Paraguay have also listed the IRGC as a terrorist organization. The IRGC wields considerable power, often surpassing the influence of the Iranian President, especially in the formulation of foreign policy, managing covert networks and contributing to Iran’s oil exports.
